Wichita eagle., 1887-12-28
THE MESSENGER'S STORY.
John GrimShaW Describes His Experience
With Would be Train Robbers.

SEDALIA, No. 27.-Paciiic Express Mes
senger John Grimshaw, the hero of the
attempted express robbery in the Indian
territory Saturday night, came in on his
regular run from the south this morning
He describes his experience as follows:
''When the train stopped OH the bridge /
thought we had arrived ut Atoka, and was
lust in the act of opening the car door
when several shots were fred and cries of
Open the door, -- you, or We'll set lire
to the car and other threats fell upon my
ear called to sparrow, the baggage
man. 10 prepare for action and began TO
harricade the doors with boxes of beef and
other material handy Sparrow stood
guard After the doors had been barred
took the cash from my safe ana hid the
money Ia different places about the car.
During this time the robbers were pound
ing upon the door. eudGavOring to effect
an entrance, and kept Hp a constant fuSi-
lade from their revolvers and rifles and my
companion eXtinguiSheG the lights in the
cars ana we stood behind the barricade,
weapons in hand, ready 30 sell our lives
dearly if the gang effected an entrance.
Five minutes after the attack began the
firing ceased and the baffied robbers re
tired The barricadeS were removed and
the side door opened by me just as the
train started. The passengers remained
in their seats during the engagement, and
two or three OF the party leveled their guns
upon the coaches and threatened to shoot
the first man that alighted from the
coaches There was Il large amGUnt of
money in the safe, and other valUableS.'
GrimShaW, the messenger. whose cool
ness and presence of mind fOiled the des-
peradoeS, has been in the service for fifteen
years His home is at jefferson City, but
he makes his headquarters at Sedalia. He
is satisfied that his asSaiants We're new
hands at the business, and that the plot to
rob the express company was Matched at
Stringtown, and the men engaged mem
bers OF the gan% of cut-throats and fuGi-
tiveS from Justice who rendezvous in that
vicinity. The engineer and fireman are
confident that they can identify the man
who gave to order to stop the train,
/ Grimshaw is well known in Kansas
/ City, having at one time lived there.
/ This is the second express robbery in
I which he has figured and in both cases his
reputation wSS yiudicatpd as Il trusted
and daring employe OF the express com
pany.
His first experience occurred about ten
years ago while he WaS serving as mes
/ sengcr on the Wabash road. The car was
/ entered by robbers just beyond Ferguson,
/ about twenty miles on; Of st. Louis, and
/ although Grimsnaw made Il brave effort
/ TO protect the property in his charge be
i was overpowered and the outlaws went
! through the ear. After they completed
their work Of riting the car they placed
/ Grimshaw III hi. box and locked him in.
/ When the cars reached II. Louis no mes
/ scnger was to be found. and il was not un-
/ I'll the box was opened that GrimShaW'S
/ plight was known The robbers had com
plctply cleaned ont the car. Grimshaw was
arrested and conducted TO the Southern
hotel. He was suspected Cf being imph
Gated in the robbery and his story or the
affair was di~cr2diIed, il being held that
ii was impossible for n person to remain
locked up in tight box as long as he
claimed to have been there.
Almost i'm despair Grlmshaw finally sent
for a physician. with whom he was we'll
acquainted, and asked his advice. He was
/ told that ii he had remained in tle box
the length OF time hc claimed, he could 60
so again, and by doing 50 would give cred
eEce TO his statement concerning the at-
fair. GrimShaw acceA ed the advice. and
getting into the box remained there not
only the fun length of time, hut twenty
minutes longer. He was then released,
but for two wears he was watched 10y de
tectiyeS. The robbers were afterward cap
tured and made Il full confession, and he
came ont OF the affair 80 well vindjcated.
that he mas ever since been one Of the most
trusted employees Of both the United States
and Pacific express companies.
For several Years afjerthe robbery.he was
city solicitor for he United States express
in st. Louis. the position being one of
great responsibility Afterward he be-
came route agent for the company for its
western division. during which period his
headquarters Wee IN Kansas City. lie re
tanned this position Tor about two years
and then went bac!, on the road as express
messenger He i very popular among his
f. h. In
4aucA ~ him,